Samantha Ellison
Auckland
Summary
Compassionate Mental Health Nurse with hands-on experience in providing quality patient care and implementing treatment plans for individuals with mental health disorders. Skills include effective communication, crisis management, and therapeutic intervention. Notably contributed to improving patient outcomes by applying clinical knowledge and decision-making abilities in high-stress environments.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Shift Coordinator
He Puna Waiora
Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand
2024.02 - 2025.12
- Scheduled staff shifts to maintain adequate coverage for all wards.
- Coordinated daily shift operations to ensure smooth workflow and staff efficiency.
- Communicated updates and important information during multidisciplinary meetings.
- Maintained accurate records of attendance, overtime, and other relevant information.
- Communicated effectively with management regarding any changes or updates that needed to be implemented.
- Led emergency responses and communicated effectively with management regarding the ward's needs/status.
- Coordinated with other shift leaders and management to ensure smooth transitions between shifts.
- Attended bed meetings.
- Completed discharge follow-up calls.
- Liaised with community services for admissions into respite facilities.
Locum Mental Health Nurse
Rockhampton Inpatient Facility
Rockhampton, QLD, Australia.
2025.01 - 2025.06
- Conducted thorough assessments to identify mental health needs and risks.
- Monitored and assessed the physical health conditions of patients using QADDs.
- Documented patient progress in electronic health record systems accurately and timely.
- Worked in acute situations, assessing the immediate risk to selves or others, while providing support and performing de-escalation techniques.
- Trained new staff on best practices for psychiatric nursing care and protocols.
- Formulated sexual safety plans.
- Worked alongside multidisciplinary teams to formulate patient-oriented care plans.
- Used amphetamine and alcohol withdrawal scales to assess clients with substance use disorders.
- Completed daily behavioral modification scales to assess aggression risk.
- Administered IMI injections and depots.
- Established rapport to create a safe and supportive environment to promote recovery.
- Worked within the current mental health act regulations and protocols.
- Monitored diet, physical activity, behaviours and other patient factors to assess conditions and adjust treatment plans.
- Worked in both low- and high-dependency wards.
Registered Nurse
Acute Inpatient Mental Health at He Puna Waiora
Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand.
2021.02 - 2024.12
- Administered oral and intramuscular medications, and monitored patient responses in psychiatric care settings, including monitoring of side effects or EPSEs.
- Conducted comprehensive mental health assessments and documented findings accurately.
- Provided emotional support and crisis intervention to patients experiencing distress.
- Educated patients and families about mental health conditions and their current treatment plans.
- Trained new staff on best practices for psychiatric nursing care and protocols.
- Coordinated discharge planning to ensure continuity of care post-hospitalisation; including referrals to community-based teams.
- Advocated for patient needs with interdisciplinary team and implemented outlined treatment plans.
- Wound care.
- Formulated risk assessments.
- Formulated and updated daily nursing care plans.
- Monitored and assessed the physical health conditions of patients.
- Worked in acute situations, assessing the immediate risk to selves or others, while performing de-escalation techniques.
- I worked in both low- and high-dependency wards.
Locum Mental Health Nurse
Tallowwood Adult Mental Health Inpatient Unit.
Lismore, NSW, Australia.
2023.10 - 2023.12
- Assisted in providing compassionate care to patients with mental health disorders.
- Conducted thorough assessments to identify mental health needs and risks.
- Monitored and assessed the physical health conditions of patients.
- Documented patient progress in electronic health record systems accurately and timely.
- Monitored and assessed the physical health conditions of patients.
- Provided emotional support and crisis intervention to patients experiencing distress.
- Trained new staff on best practices for psychiatric nursing care and protocols.
- Formulated sexual safety plans.
- Worked alongside multidisciplinary teams to formulate patient-oriented care plans.
- Used amphetamine and alcohol withdrawal scales to assess clients with substance use disorders.
- Administered Suboxone and methadone to patients on alcohol and drug programs.
- Completed daily DASA scores to assess aggression risks.
- Administered IMI injections and depots.
- Established rapport to create a safe and supportive environment to promote recovery.
- Worked within the current mental health act laws and protocols.
- Monitored diet, physical activity, behaviours and other patient factors to assess conditions and adjust treatment plans.
- I worked in both low- and high-dependency wards.
Registered Nurse
The Alfred Hospital. Acute Adult Psychiatric Ward.
Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
2023.02 - 2023.06
- Conducted thorough assessments to identify mental health needs and risks.
- Monitored and assessed the physical health conditions of patients.
- Documented patient progress in electronic health record systems accurately and timely.
- Monitored and assessed the physical health conditions of patients.
- Provided emotional support and crisis intervention to patients experiencing distress.
- Trained new staff on best practices for psychiatric nursing care and protocols.
- Formulated sexual safety plans.
- Worked alongside multidisciplinary teams to formulate patient-oriented care plans.
- Used amphetamine and alcohol withdrawal scales to assess clients with substance use disorders.
- Administered Suboxone and methadone to patients on alcohol and drug programs.
- Completed daily DASA scores to assess aggression risks.
- Administered IMI injections and depots.
- Established rapport to create a safe and supportive environment to promote recovery.
- Worked within the current mental health act laws and protocols.
- Monitored diet, physical activity, behaviours and other patient factors to assess conditions and adjust treatment plans.
- I worked in both low- and high-dependency wards.
Retail and Credit Card Customer Support
Finance Now
Auckland, New Zealand
2019.12 - 2021.01
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Promoted high customer satisfaction by resolving problems with knowledgeable and friendly service.
- Assisted with customer requests and answered questions to improve satisfaction.
- Evaluated creditworthiness of applicants using financial analysis tools.
- Verified accuracy of customer information, including income and employment status.
- Frequently reviewed and checked credit limit appropriateness for customers.
- Reported suspicious activity or potential fraud cases according to established protocols.
Waitress/Assistant Bartender
The Good Home
Birkenhead, AKL, New Zealand
2017.07 - 2019.12
- Provided friendly service to customers in a fast-paced dining environment.
- Handled cash transactions and processed payments with attention to detail.
- Provided excellent customer service by addressing any complaints or concerns promptly.
- Enforced safety protocols such as age restrictions and responsible gambling practices.
- Observed and assessed customers for intoxication.
Education
Post-Graduate Certificate in Mental Health and Addictions. -
Auckland University of Technology
Auckland, NZ2021-01
Bachelor of Nursing -
Auckland University of Technology
Auckland, NZ2020-01
NCEA Level 1, 2 And 3. -
Northcote College
Auckland, NZ2016-12
Skills
- Excellent communication
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Interpersonal relationships and rapport building
- Active listening
- Patient advocacy
- Team leadership and working collaboratively with others
Affiliations
- Reading
- Physical exercise
- Traveling
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Locum Mental Health Nurse
Rockhampton Inpatient Facility
2025.01 - 2025.06
Shift Coordinator
He Puna Waiora
2024.02 - 2025.12
Locum Mental Health Nurse
Tallowwood Adult Mental Health Inpatient Unit.
2023.10 - 2023.12
Registered Nurse
The Alfred Hospital. Acute Adult Psychiatric Ward.
2023.02 - 2023.06
Registered Nurse
Acute Inpatient Mental Health at He Puna Waiora
2021.02 - 2024.12
Retail and Credit Card Customer Support
Finance Now
2019.12 - 2021.01
Waitress/Assistant Bartender
The Good Home
2017.07 - 2019.12
Post-Graduate Certificate in Mental Health and Addictions. -
Auckland University of Technology
Bachelor of Nursing -
Auckland University of Technology
NCEA Level 1, 2 And 3. -
Northcote College